Meaning
“Høyt henger de, og sure er de” is a Norwegian proverb that translates to “They hang high, and they are sour.” This expression describes the psychology of a person who disparages something they couldn’t obtain, pretending they never really wanted it.
When someone cannot achieve or attain something, they may devalue it to protect their pride, convincing themselves it wasn’t worth it in the first place.
This attitude is similar to the Japanese term for “sour grapes” or the English expression “sour grapes,” both of which originate from Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes.”
Origin
The origin of this expression lies in the famous fable “The Fox and the Grapes” written by the ancient Greek fabulist Aesop.
In the story, a fox tries to reach a bunch of delicious-looking grapes hanging high on a vine. Despite multiple attempts, the fox cannot reach the grapes. To cope with this failure, the fox tells itself, “Those grapes must be sour anyway,” and walks away in resignation. This story humorously criticizes the tendency to devalue something that one cannot have, as a way of coping with disappointment.
When this story spread to Norway, the same idea was captured in the phrase “Høyt henger de, og sure er de,” highlighting the universal human trait of rationalizing one’s failures and protecting one’s ego by demeaning the unattainable.
Conclusion
“Høyt henger de, og sure er de” is a Norwegian proverb meaning “They hang high, and they are sour.” It serves as a humorous and critical expression for people who disparage what they can’t have, highlighting the human tendency to justify their failures.
Originating from Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes,” this proverb portrays the weakness of not being able to accept one’s own shortcomings. However, it also conveys a deeper message: avoiding the attitude of sour grapes and learning to accept failures gracefully can lead to personal growth and stronger, more mature relationships.
